Easy Vegan Sushi for Beginners

This homemade vegan sushi recipe is SO tasty and just perfect for beginners to learn how to roll sushi easily. You can put all your favorite ingredients into your perfect custom roll — here’s how!

Sushi is one of my all-time favorite foods. I’ve been missing eating out for sushi these days. So I thought, why not make it at home? And trust me, it’s quick and easy to make at home.

If you’re new to making sushi at home, follow these steps honestly, and you’ll get the hang of it in no time!

The rolls we’re going to make are called maki rolls – basically, they have seaweed on the outside of the roll. The other type is called uramaki roll or inside-out roll, where the rice is on the outside of the roll and seaweed is on the inside.

I bet you’ll find yourself craving these versatile Japanese sushi rolls.

What is Vegan/Vegetarian Sushi?

Traditionally, sushi is served with raw fish. This vegan and vegetarian version includes a nori sheet, rice, and your choice of veggies or tofu. You can have it with your choice of dip – it’s that SIMPLE.

What You Need to Make Sushi?

There are some basic things you will need to make sushi rolls easily.

• Bamboo Mat
• Rice Paddle
• Rice Spreader
• Sharp Knife

You can also just get a sushi making kit.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Cooked sushi rice
• Roasted nori sheets
• Wasabi
• Pickled ginger
• Soy sauce
• Sesame seeds
• Choice of your veggies as filling

You’ll also need a rolling bamboo mat, which is readily available in any local Asian grocery stores or on Amazon.

Prepare Sushi Rice

Let’s start with Sushi rice – I cook it in an Instant Pot. You can also cook sushi rice as mentioned in the package directions on the stovetop.

Place the rice into a mixing bowl and cover with cold water. Clean the rice in the water with your hand, 2-3 times, or until the water is clear. After rinsing the rice, let it drain in a colander or strainer.

Pour in cold water for cooking and the well-rinsed, drained rice into the Instant Pot. Pressure cook for 5 minutes at high pressure. Allow for a natural pressure release for five minutes before releasing steam manually.

While the rice is cooking, mix the vinegar, sugar, and salt in a bowl until well blended. Gently heat in the microwave or a pan on the stovetop, if needed. For a detailed recipe, check out our Instant Pot sushi rice recipe.

Once it’s cooked, transfer the rice to a large container or bowl and gently spread it out with a rice paddle. Slowly & evenly pour the sushi vinegar over the rice. Gently mix the rice with a rice paddle and let it cool.

And start slicing the veggies of your choice.

How to Cut Veggies

All the veggies should be thinly sliced, so they don’t make your roll hard or crunchy. It will improve eatability for your roll.

Veggies like cucumbers, I don’t bother peeling the skin off them – I just cut them into thin slices. You can remove the seed part of it as well, totally at your preference.

For harder veggies like carrots, radishes, and bell peppers, I prefer steaming them for at least 1-2 minutes, so they’re not hard to eat and are easier to chew. It is totally optional; if you like raw veggies, go for it.

For avocados and mangoes, make sure to use ripe ones. You can also use pickled onions.

How to Make Sushi Rolls

Once all the ingredients are ready, keep a bowl of water with you. Place the nori sheet on a bamboo mat.

Note: Place the shiny side of the nori sheet facing down on a bamboo mat.

Spread 2/3 cup of rice on the nori sheet. Wet your hands with water – it will prevent the rice from getting sticky. Spread it evenly over the nori sheet, leaving 1 1-inch border at the top, and sprinkle some sesame seeds on the rice.

Now layer the filling – choice of your veggies in a line at the bottom of the sheet. Secure the veggies with your fingers while you begin to roll the nori sheet. Slowly start rolling the roll, making sure it’s tight enough.

Transfer the roll to a cutting board and cut it into 7 pieces for sushi. Sprinkle some sesame seeds.

And serve it with your choice of dipping sauce.

Different dipping sauces

• Vegan mayo with sriracha
• Wasabi
• Soy sauce or Tamari
• Soy sauce mixed with wasabi
• Japanese teriyaki sauce
• Panut Sauce

I love eating with pickled ginger on top of the sushi roll, and as a dip, I prefer soy sauce mixed with wasabi in it. Add wasabi as per your spice level and mix it.

More Filling Ideas for Vegan Sushi Rolls

Here are some of the other filling ideas for you to try – I usually make these rolls.

1. Sweet potato tempura roll
2. Avocado, cucumber, and mango roll
3. Teriyaki tofu roll or Tempeh roll

Sweet Potato Tempura Roll Filling

• Sweet potato – cut into thin slices
• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Pepper
• Baking powder
• Ice water, as needed
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Avocado

In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, pepper, baking powder, and ice water. Stir them well and put the batter aside. In a medium pan, heat the oil on the stovetop and wait until it is hot enough to fry.

Once heated, put the sweet potato slices into the batter, coat on all sides, and then carefully drop the sweet potato slices into the hot oil. Cook until they are crispy enough. Then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

You can bake sweet potatoes as well in the oven or roast them in an Air fryer. However, it works for you, go for it.

Teriyaki Tofu Roll filling

• Teriyaki Tofu – baked (details below)
• Red bell pepper
• Carrot

For Baked Teriyaki Tofu, you’ll need

• Extra firm tofu packet – Sliced into strips
• Soy sauce
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Cornstarch
• Pepper

Mix all the ingredients except the tofu in a bowl until smooth. Add sliced tofu and marinate for 1 to 2 hours, flipping occasionally. Remove it from the marinade and preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake for about 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy.

Avocado Cucumber Mango Roll Filling

• Avocado
• Cucumber
• Mango

Tips to Make Perfect Sushi Rolls

• Cut the veggies as thin as possible.
• Wet your hands while spreading the rice on the nori, as it will prevent it from sticking.
• Do not overstuff the rolls; you just need a few strips of veggies and a thin layer of rice while rolling.
• Cut the sushi roll with a very sharp knife.

I hope you enjoy making sushi at home. It’s an excellent family activity that the whole family, including kids, can enjoy.

More Vegan Recipes You’ll Love

Curry

Vegan Palak Tofu

Chinese

Kung Pao Tofu (Easy, Vegan Recipe)

Main Dishes

Vegan Sweet Potato Quinoa Buddha Bowl

Curry

Thai Green Curry with Tofu & Vegetables